Applications Engineer

Illinois Tool Works•Swartz Creek, MI

53d•$110,000 - $140,000

About The Position

Smart people. Smart ideas. Smart choice. A thriving environment for learning, innovation and growth. Why do so many people join MTS Systems Corporation and stay for a career? Because this is a place where you get to apply your creativity, work with smart people on fascinating projects, and make a positive impact on people's lives. It is a place where you can learn, innovate and grow professionally. Transforming what's possible with cars, aircraft, bridges, wind turbines and space-age materials - this is work we dream about as kids. At MTS, it's a rewarding career path for talented individuals who are willing to work hard, think hard, and commit to solving complex and critical challenges for our customers around the world, many of whom are leaders in their respective industries. By joining MTS, you'll have access to the latest tools and technologies, along with the support of colleagues who are passionate about their work. You'll discover a dynamic culture of continuous improvement that extends to our people, one that offers numerous ways to expand your knowledge and advance your career. Primary Objective To provide pre-sales technical support and leadership. Creates MTS value by leading the translation of customer requirements into a proposed technical solution. Serves as the technical resource on MTS standard, aftermarket, and/or custom product testing applications.

Requirements

Strong oral and written communication skills
Ability to work with high degree of personal discipline
This is a local role, with expected travel averaging 5% domestically
Strong technical aptitude and decision making
Demonstrates understating od industry/domain testing processes & methods
Demonstrated ability to manage assigned prospective solutions
Ability to frame problem statements, identify solution criteria, and value potential system solutions
B.S in Engineering/technical discipline or equivalent work experience
5+ years of progressively demanding technical experience

Responsibilities

Provides technical qualification criteria to Sales regarding systems, according to established standards. May provide guidance to Sales on technically complex sales leads.
Gathers information to thoroughly understand the customer's technical requirements, specifications and needs. Establishes technical credibility with the prospective customer.
Defines prospect's technical problems.
Converts prospect's desired solutions into specifications and requirements.
Evaluates technical content and provides recommendations regarding cost and risk of pursuit.
Directly, or through a technical pursuit team, creates proposed solutions demonstrating MTS' value to the prospective customer.
Document and communicate prospect's specifications for products or systems to engineering and project management as required.
Ensures concept design, feasibility assessments, cost estimates, and other elements of the solution are well-understood and completed in a timely manner.
Assists Sales in demonstrations, prototypes, reference cases, etc. to help MTS and the prospective customer understand the solution as it is being developed.
May supply value-added external solution, where appropriate.
Provides technical content for the proposal and provides it to the selling team.
Conducts risk analysis, risk mitigation plan and communicates appropriately
Provide input on pricing and sales strategy based on market knowledge
Provide acceptance criteria or commissioning statement.
With the FAM or Service, define a Service maintenance strategy for the opportunity.
Identify Sensor offerings where applicable.
Responsible for a clean hand-off on new projects to Operations. May participate in design reviews of an engineered system with the customer to finalize all details.
Plans and conducts effective customer presentations, as required, in partnership with Sales.
Participates in negotiations, as required, by providing input on the technical aspects of the proposed solution.
Guides customer through the technical solution, if needed.
Adjusts cost and/or risk assessment during negotiations.
Manages technical changes. Informs sales leader if proposed solution is modified beyond pre-established guidelines.
May assist in conceiving, refining and implementing marketing tools/techniques (brochures, video, trade shows, etc.) used to promote products and capabilities
Participates in professional societies and society committees to stay informed of latest testing trends, to build MTS industry knowledge and to influence testing standards, as applicable
Other duties as assigned